Bob Dylan

Jimbo wrote: ^ There's no doubt in my mind that Bob Dylan was somewhat influential to the development of progressive rock, but c'mon - he's Bob Dylan. One of the most influential musicians of all times, you'd be hard-pressed to find a genre (out of those emerged in the 70's) that he hasn't influenced (at least) undirectly. He didn't specifically influence prog, he influenced everything around him.

Who's next : Johnny Cash ?

ClemofNazareth wrote: Jimbo wrote: ^ There's no doubt in my mind that Bob Dylan was somewhat influential to the development of progressive rock, but c'mon - he's Bob Dylan. One of the most influential musicians of all times, you'd be hard-pressed to find a genre (out of those emerged in the 70's) that he hasn't influenced (at least) undirectly. He didn't specifically influence prog, he influenced everything around him.   alter-Jimbo wrote: ^ There's no doubt in my mind that the Beatles were somewhat influential to the development of progressive rock, but c'mon - they're the Beatles. One of the most influential bands of all times, you'd be hard-pressed to find a genre (out of those emerged in the 70's) that they haven't influenced (at least) undirectly. They didn't specifically influence prog, They influenced everything around them.

True enough, but I don't think they can (or indeed should) be compared. The Beatles wrote several 'proggy' songs (I Want You, Strawberry Fields Forever, A Day in the Life, I Am the Walrus, Tomorrow Never Knows etc. etc.), whereas I've yet to hear a Bob Dylan composition that actually bears any resemblance to progressive rock as it is traditionally seen. If you can name a Bob Dylan song that is on par with these in terms of influence and level of complexity - I'm all ears. Don't get me wrong, I definitely hear Dylan's influence in many prog-folk records, but as far as I'm concerned, he never really influenced the prog aspects of those records. Sorry if this sounds a bit confusing, I'm dead tired.

micky wrote: you rock Bob...    I think there are a FEW more artists and bands that should be added that are more in line with the site ..especially from a musical angle.  I agree though..  it would be wrong to dismiss out of hand.  I think he is one whose influence was so huge ..that he touched prog just by shear weight of influence across music.

Honestly Micky I don't have a strong opinion either way about whether Dylan gets added - his influence and body of work really transcends any particular genre anyway.  I just wanted to make the point that Proto-prog is all about recognizing bands that contributed to the music we enjoy today; and even if some of us don't think Dylan was a huge part of prog's development, the list above proves that a lot of the artists we listen to seem to acknowledge his influence.

 

Love the new avatar BTW 

 

Interesting replies and thank you Clemoofnazereth that is what made me think he would fit in that category. Although I only think Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde On Blonde should be on the site... if that's possible.

ClemofNazareth wrote: micky wrote: you rock Bob...    I think there are a FEW more artists and bands that should be added that are more in line with the site ..especially from a musical angle.  I agree though..  it would be wrong to dismiss out of hand.  I think he is one whose influence was so huge ..that he touched prog just by shear weight of influence across music.      Honestly Micky I don't have a strong opinion either way about whether Dylan gets added - his influence and body of work really transcends any particular genre anyway.  I just wanted to make the point that Proto-prog is all about recognizing bands that contributed to the music we enjoy today; and even if some of us don't think Dylan was a huge part of prog's development, the list above proves that a lot of the artists we listen to seem to acknowledge his influence.   Love the new avatar BTW

hahha.. yeah.... HOGAAAAN!!!!!!

to be honest.. I don't really have much of an opinion other than .. nope..  not now at least.   As I posted before...  the absence of the Velvet Underground makes the whole notion of Proto-Prog a farce as far as this site is concerned.  Any other additions.. with that one NOT added...  just makes it even more farcical.  Does anyone REALLY want to deny the DIRECT influence the VU had on prog.. .didn't think so.  Get the big ones out of the way... then the site can nitpick over ones like this. 

I guess that is my opinion... but I do agree with you... it does have merit enough to be seriously discussed...down the road when the biggies are done and added.

The Truth wrote: Oh and by the way, this is the site that though METALLICA influenced prog! And we're looking at Bob Dylan like he's an outsider

You're still fairly new here, so I'll fill you in now . . .

We don't buy the "if x is here, then y should also be here" argument. Just because one band is here that you may consider an outsider does not automatically give your suggestion any more right to be included.

Dylan is very influential, that is obvious, but when you said he sounded like Roger Waters, I nearly fell off of my couch.

The Truth wrote: p0mt3 wrote: The Truth wrote: Oh and by the way, this is the site that though METALLICA influenced prog! And we're looking at Bob Dylan like he's an outsider You're still fairly new here, so I'll fill you in now . . . We don't buy the "if x is here, then y should also be here" argument. Just because one band is here that you may consider an outsider does not automatically give your suggestion any more right to be included. Dylan is very influential, that is obvious, but when you said he sounded like Roger Waters, I nearly fell off of my couch. Oh, my bad.  But I still think he sounds like Waters, solo stuff at least not including Radio KAOS.

Well, obviously, a person's 'sound' is all opinion, anyhow. I was just explaining why I put my rofl emoticon up there. Wasn't at you personally.

^ Well, if you want my opinion, the only similarity between the two is that they are great songwriters who can't sing for sh!t, but that's of course arguable. 

As far as addressing complex adult themes in lyrics that are but a kick in the butt off credible poetry, he was of course quite revolutionary. I don't think we would recognise any contemporary song lyrics without the influence of Dylan. However I'm thinking of some very perceptive comments by PA's Toaster Mantis here when he suggests that Dylan's music is stylistically simple but thematically far more complex than even the instrumental complexity of many of our prog idols. But no, I don't think inclusion for ol' big nose even by virtue of his 'rocky' era output would be justified.

Oh, I almost forgot, if Dylan sounds like Roger Waters then my air conditioning unit is the greatest unsigned act in the history of prog.